Travel info

Achaia

With the decline of the Mycenaean centers, Achaians from the Argolid came and settled here, founding important cities. The region is named Achaia after them. Though politically insignificant through most of antiquity, it started to playa more dynamic role in 280 BC, when the Achaian Confederacy was created. In 146 BC the area fell to the Romans.
It embraced Christianity earlier than the rest of Greece (St. Andrew the Apostle preached in Patras and was martyred there). In 1205 it occupied center stage with the founding of the Principality of Achaia by the Franks. Before too long it passed to the hands of the Palaiologues who ruled the Peloponnese from Mistra; they were succeeded by the Turks in 1460.
For a short period (1687-1715), the area was a Venetian colony. It was liberated in 1828

Eleia - Ilia

Acording to Pausanias, the first king of the region was Aethlios, who was succeeded by his son Endymion and grandson Epeios.
The later gave his name to the inhabitants, who were called Epeians.
When Epeios’ nephew Eleios inherited the throne, the name of the district was changed to Eleia and the inhabitants Eleians, and that is what they have been called ever since.
The land, scenery and people
Eleia is cries-crossed by roads. Each one leads to somewhere interesting: an ancient temple, a Byzantine monastery, a Frankish castle, a splendid mountain or an endless beach

Messinia

Capital and chief port of the prefecture is the much sung Kalamata, the land of the Kalamatianos dance and the silk kerchief. Of succulent black olives, honeyed figs and the sesame-covered sweet called pastelli. The town is dominated by the 13th century castle above it built by Geoffrey de Villehardouin. On the north side of the citadel there is a small Byzantine church, dedicated to the Virgin of Kalomata (of the good eye), from which the town may have acquired its name.
From the castle you can survey the expanse of sea below with its sandy and pebbly shores or turn your gaze upon the deep green plain, the “happy land” of the ancients. The old city is spread out underneath the castle. This is where the Byzantine church of the Virgin Ypapanti and the convent of the Kalograies, where the nuns weave the famous Kalamata silk, are situated. There are many churches in town, the oldest being the historic church of Aghii Apostoli (13th c.), where the Greek Revolution against the Turks was formally declared on March 23, 1821. Kalamata has an archaeological and folklore museum, a fine arts museum and a library containing 60.000 volumes. Every summer cultural events like concerts and plays put on by the Kalamata theater are held in the amphitheatre of the castle. In the evening, the town comes alive, especially along the waterfront which is lined with tavernas, seafood restaurants and rotisseries serving local dishes and drinks, fresh fish, roast suckling pig and chicken, sausages, cheese, olives, retsina and raki.

Laconia

With the settling of the Dorians in the region (1100 BC), Sparta became the center of the new colonists.
New institutions and distinctions were created for the inhabitants.
Up till the time of Alexander Sparta and Athens were the most powerful city-states in Greece.
In 146 BC, Sparta was subdued by the Romans.
During the Byzantine era, Laconia was a province of the theme of the Peloponnese and suffered numerous attacks by barbarians.
In the 13th century, it fell to the Franks only to return in 1262 to the Byzantines who made their headquarters at Mistra.
Two centuries later (1460) the Turks marched against Laconia and finally conquered the district in the mid 17th century.
The region of the Mani always retained some degree of autonomy and privilege.
The area was liberated in 1828.

Arcadia

Arcadia is a closed land, all mountains and high peaks with large fir forests and lush vegetation. An unspoiled land, little known, full of surprises, truly bewitching. On the eastern coast it is washed by the gulf of Argos and the Mirtoo sea. Here and there the sea has carved fantastic bays and peninsula out of the land.
In fact, whoever roams through Arcadia today will get to know a part of the country that has remained virtually unchanged since antiquity. Arcadia is a natural wonderland whose mountain dwellers have preserved it intact up to today.
A Historical Flashback
The Arcadians are believed to be among the oldest inhabitants of the Peloponnese. Initially divided into tribes, they united after the first millennium and founded great cities. After their subjugation by the Romans (146 BC), the region fell into decline and political insignificance. In 1205 the Franks conquered Arcadia, founding baronies and erecting castles on the hilltops. In 1330 Andronikos Palaiologos won supremacy over the Franks.
Arcadia was liberated in 1828

Corinthiaia - Korinthia

Coming from Athens, Corinthiaia is the first prefecture you come to in the Peloponnese, the first sign of warmth and excitement. The aromas of the sea, the mountains, the harvest of grapes and currants are all encompassing, accompanied by the sound of bees buzzing around the sheds where the currants are drying. Here you’ll rediscover some old Greek myths, learn that Nemean wine is called “Herakles blood” and that retina is the teardrop of a certain wood nymph. You’ll find out about gods, nereids and mortals. Zeus and Apollo. You’ll come upon columns, sanctuaries and ancient palaces.
Argolis - Argolida
The magic of the shores of the Argolid, the bald mountains, golden valleys, the grandeur of the monuments and the eternal quality of its myths will leave a lasting impression.
On this “flaming red Argive earth” celebrated by the poet, “where the poppy flames still brighter”, you’ll hear the most sublime voices of the Greek land – Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles.
History
The Argolid was the heart of Greece from 1600 to 1100 BC under the Mycenaeans. With their decline, the Dorians controlled the fate of the region until the conquest of the country by the Romans.
During the Byzantine era the Argolid shared the fortune of the rest of the Peloponnese. It was ruled by the Franks and surrendered to the Turks in 1460, Nafplio, however, remained in Venetian hands until 1540.
Nafplion was the capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1828 to 1834, when this role passed to Athens.

Schedule Greece
Visit also the Regions and Locations of Greece:

Attica (Athens and Rest of Attica) - Saronic Gulf - North Eastern Aegean Islands
Central Greece and Thessaly - Crete - Cyclades - Dodecanese - Epirus - Evia and the Sporades
Ionian Islands - Macedonia - Peloponnese - Thrace

Greek Destinations: Athens Destination | Arcadia Destination | Attica Destination | Amorgos Destination| Andros Destination | Evia Destination |
Evritania Destination | Fokida Destination | Viotia Destination | Crete Destination | Heraklion Destination | Lassithi Destination | Rethymnon Destination | Ios Destination | Milos Destination | Mykonos Destination | Naxos Destination | Paros Destination | Santorini Destination | Serifos Destination |
Syros Destination | Tinos Destination | Corfu Destination | Kefalonia Destination | Zakynthos Destination | Halkidiki Destination | Serres Destination | Chios Destination | Samos Destination | Argolida Destination | Aegina Destination | Hydra Destination | Poros Destination | Skiathos Destination | Magnesia-Destination | Rhodes Destination | Kos Destination |

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